Composer, arranger, reedman Gigi Gryce was a jazz drop-out in the 1960s. Prior to that he was well represented throughout the jazz world by his writing and playing. Pieces such as "Hymn to the Orient," "Minority," and "Blue Lights" were in the repertoire of several different groups from Stan Getz to Clifford Brown. Gryce's association with Art Farmer stemmed from their time together in the Lionel Hampton band that also included Clifford Brown. Later he co-led the Jazz Lab Quintet with Donald Byrd. The Rat Race Blues is a collaboration with another young trumpeter of the time, Texan Richard Williams. It offers a variety of blues feelings, including a gospel backbeat number, and a modally directed song. After leaving the jazz world, Gigi taught in the Long Island school system. In early 1983, he died in his native Pensacola, Florida.